For three years, we have been running a business called For the Birds Trapped in Airports—an imprint, bindery, and educational space. Through teaching about the labor of bookmaking and alternatives to the exploitative norms of the publishing industry, we foster affirming experiences and financially supportive options for publishing artist books.

Our sustainability as a business, so far, has been made possible through taking in enough bindery jobs to pay for all the overhead and published projects. Due to the declining economic conditions in the U.S., especially affected by tariffs and rent increases, we are no longer able to sustain our work in Los Angeles in a healthy and efficient manner.

We have been generously offered a low-rent space through the Mendocino Art Center (MAC) to continue our business, where our publishing work will shift direction in a new structure of workshops and residencies, as the MAC has 15 apartments connected to its studio amenities.

We are now fundraising for three things:

If you, too, are struggling financially in this moment, please do not donate and support yourselves first; we are here to support you in any way we can as well. We would be deeply grateful for your spreading the word instead of donating.

Thank you all so much for supporting us on this journey!